he said we've got a deal. >> obama: i think once republicans agree to let the tax rates go up on the top 2%, like i talked about during the campaign like the majority of americans agree to, once we do that, and i think we can get a deal. >> bill: and at the briefing yesterday, jay carney made the same point saying that there was no way -- he said it one more time. in fact, i tweeted out yesterday while i was at the briefing, how many times does the white house have to say that the president will simply not accept a deal unless the tax rates go up for the top 2%? the president will not sign a bill if it includes a continued tax cut for the top 2%. jay carney said that again yesterday. and then he got some surprising support from tom coburn, conservative republican senator from oklahoma who said you know, the president on this thing is right. what's wrong with raising rates? >> personally, i know we have to raise revenue. i don't really care which way we do it. actually, i would rather see the rates go up than do it the other way because it gives us greater chance to reform the tax cod